Notes: The extracellular concentration of glutamate has previously been reported to increase to more than 10-fold the basal level during seizure activity. In the present study, we tested whether localized increases in extracellular glutamate concentration influence the rhythm of epileptiform discharges in the low-magnesium epilepsy model. In hippocampal slices of guinea-pigs, epileptiform activity was induced by omission of magnesium from the bath fluid. Glutamate and its subreceptor agonists N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4- isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) were ejected into different strata of the CA3 and CA1 regions using microiontophoretic and micropressure application. Glutamate, NMDA and AMPA applied to the CA3 region, but not to the CA1 region, induced a short-lasting increase in epileptiform discharge frequency, often followed by a transient reduction. The effect was most pronounced with application into the stratum lacunosum-moleculare of the CA3 region and could only be evoked in slices exceeding 400 μm in thickness. The effects on the rhythm of epileptiform discharges induced by NMDA and AMPA were blocked by their specific receptor antagonists. They were not influenced by application of GABAA and GABAB receptor antagonists. Changes in somatic membrane potential of CA3 pyramidal neurons did not correlate with changes in the rhythm of epileptiform discharges elicited in this region. The transient suppression of epileptiform discharges that followed the increase in discharge frequency was abolished by an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist. We propose that localized increases in extracellular glutamate concentration modify the rhythm of epileptiform discharges due to changes in neuronal network activity.

Notes: A Geographical Information System (GIS) was combined with a model for simulating leaching and degradation of herbicides. The model uses first–order kinetics to simulate degradation, and a cascade model to simulate transport. This system was tested with data from a 16 km2 research catchment in northern Germany. Geometrical, topological, and soil data of this area were stored in a GIS. For the whole area, divided into small homogeneous sites (ecotopes), model runs were carried out. The system is able to handle data for all ecotopes automatically and to present calculated results on the behaviour of herbicides as distributed over time and depth for the area. An application of ethofumesate made in sugar–beet in spring and recropping of winter wheat after beet harvest was modelled. Degradation/sorption parameters were estimated from similar soils. Simulation results showed slower degradation in the sandy sites of the catchment, compared to the more loamy regions. Residues of herbicide remaining after beet harvest were greater than 20% of the applied dose in the sandy soils after 150 days. Hence, high risk of damage to the following crop of winter wheat was predicted. At the other sites residues remaining were between 2% and 20% of the applied dose. Einbindung eines Simulationsmodells zum Herbizidverhalten in ein Geographisches Informationssystem–Beispiel zur schlagspezifischen AnwendungEin Geographisches Informationssystem (GIS) wurde mit einem Simulationsmodell für Herbizidabbau und –einwaschung kombiniert. Grundlage der Abbausimulation ist eine Kinetik 1. Ordnung, der Transport im Boden wird mit Hilfe eines Kaskadenmodells berechnet. Das System wurde in einem Intensiv–Untersuchungsgebiet (16 km2) in Norddeutschland getestet. Geometrische und topologische Daten der Fläche sowie Bodendaten sind im GIS gespeichert. Für die gesamte Fläche, die in kleine homogene Teilflächen (Ökotope) aufgeteilt wurde, wurden Simulationsberechnungen durchgeführt. Das System ist in der Lage, Daten für alle Ökotope automatisch bereitzustellen und die Ergebnisse zum Einwaschungs– und Abbauverhalten für die gesamte Fläche in ihrer Verteilung über Zeit und Tiefe darzustellen. Als Szenario wurde die Applikation von Ethofumesat in Zuckerrüben im Frühjahr mit einem Nachbau von Winterweizen nach der Rübenemte gewählt. Abbauund Sorptionsparameter waren in ähnlichen Böden ermittelt worden. Die Simulationsergebnisse zeigten einen langsameren Abbau in den sandigen Böden verglichen mit den lehmigen. In den sandigen Böden lagen die Rückstandsgehalte nach 150 Tagen übe 20 % der Ausgangskonzentration, wodurch ein hohes Nachbaurisiko für Winterweizen prognostiziert wurde. Für den Rest der Fläche lagen die Rückstände zwischen 2% und 20% der Ausgangskonzentration.